Selective system and apparatus.



J. F. ENGLE.

SELECTIVE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICAHON FILED MAY 5. 1909.

1,156,352. Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

.JOHN F, nncrnn, or cnnvnnnnn, OHIO.

SELECTIVE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

specification of Letters Patent.

lPatented (lot. 12, 1915.

Application filed May 5, 1909. Serial No. 48%,G79.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. Ewen-n, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented 661132111118; and useful Improvements in Selective Systems and Apparatus, (Case 3,)

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in selective signaling systems and apparatus,

and has for its object the provision of means for signaling any, one of a relatively large number of stations connected upon the, same electric circuit.

Individual selective signaling for a limited number of stations has previously been accomplished in a number of different ways, of which those actuated by currents of different frequencies appear to be the most' practical and commonly used. My inven tion, however, is designed more-particularly for selectively signaling any one of many stations upona telephone line, and the conditions are such that harmonic currents in association with bridged bell circuits, not

only would be undesirable, but the. range of apparatus at each station, which is provided vith a plurality oit'circuitclosing members serially arranged in the signaling or local circuit. These circuit-closing members are universally actuated from the, central oflice, but the electrical connections of each are so varied, that only one signaling circuit is adapted to be closed during a given relation of the circuit-closing members. Various means may be providedfor effecting" the signal under these circumstances, but I have shown and herein described, a local circuit at each of the several stations which contains a battery and makeand break bell.

Inasmuch as my improvements comprise essentially a. single central station, and a lurality of; stations to be selected, all of;

the latter being identical in character, I can explain my lnvention by mak ng reference to central statiomassoc ated w th a single selected station as typical of all the others. 7

lleferring to the drawings :Figure I illustrates diagrammatically at A, the central station, or signaling otlice of a telephone line, with the apparatus required for the actuation of the system; while B in a similar diagrammatic manner, illustrates the station apparatus at one station of the many which it will be understood may be connected with the central or selecting station. Fig. II is a somewhat diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a part of the selecting apparatus. Fig, III showsa detail of parts of one of the selecting switches; and Fig. IV is another diagrammatic detail,'illustrating the manner in which the local circuit is closed by the properselecting switch. I

Throughout the several figures of the drawings, I have indicatedsimilar parts by the same character of reference, in order to avoid confusion in referring thereto.

Mere inspection of the drawings will indicate that the apparatus herein shownis of the step-by-step type, controllable over the two limbs of the metallic circuit, which preferably is not intermediately grounded. The improvements center, however, in the peculiar type ofselecting switch, which I may term permutating; shown in the upper part of Fig. I, and diagrammatic details thereof: appear in Figs. III and IV.

The main battery 6 is intermediately grounded at the central oiiice, and its two poles are respectively carried to terminals upon the selector appliance a. This is provided with as many keys 7, 8, etc, asthere are stations to be selected, and as many contact bars a to c, as there. are switch spring 1 sets in'each of the selector-switches at the several sub-stations. An additional bar a is also provided, which'is adapted to be engag-ed by any one of the rear row of keymounted contacts, when its respective key is depressed. i

Referring. to Fig. II, it is seen that the key 7 is spring mounted and rearwardly insulated in the strip 0 of the frame 0. A downward movement .ofthe key will engage the four contact pins 7", 7, 7* and 7 with the respective contact bars of said appliance a, and also close circuit between the spring 0 and its co-acting contact 0 the latter being connected with the positive pole of the battery. This serves to supply current 1 at the central station, and at each of the sub-stations respectively, for controlling the step-by-step apparatus there positioned. a

The magnets e, 6, etc., at each'imp'ulse from the interrupter, will respectively close the local circuit 'frornbatteries b, b,,etc., through the correspondingstep-by-step mag.- nets' 7, f,etc., through the simultaneous actuation of their armature contacts to the right. V V V a The central oflice step-by-step' mechanism 9, and the corresponding associated switch mechanism It at each of the stations on the line, are advanced one step for each impulse thus automatically transmitted. 'With the former, the contacts 9 to g arerespectively engaged in succession by the arm 9, which is directly connected with limb 2 of the out- .going line, and concurrently each of the switch members it, which consists of a plurality of sets of switch springs, electrically separated from each other, but mechanically fixed en'masse to a movable member, will be caused to rotate, upon its pivot h, to effect changes respectivelyin the local circuits of their 'co-acting alarm bells 7'. The action described, is readily effected by'means of the ratchet and pawl, respectively associated with these members and their actuating magnets.

To obtain an understanding of the operation, it will be necessary to refer to the fea tures of switch It. In the example shown, each switch is provided with six sets of contact springs; all of which are normally out of contact, although the various springs in each set are rearwardly connected up to effect the permutation or change in the local circuit controlled. These connections obviously differ in each switchof a given system. 'I-Iowever, said switches by their construction, are capable of variable normal connections adaptingthem for interchangeable use at any of the several stations 'of' the system. Each set of springs comprises an intermediate or longer sprlng, andtwo co-.

acting shorter springs respectively positioned above and below the long or actuated spring. These long springs c" to i extend in position to be swept successively beneath the armature m "of an electro magnet m serially connected in limb 2 of the line. In the continued path of their travel ispositioned the arc "-"of insulating material; the relationof these parts being best gathered by referring to Figs. I and III.

As the pivoted members 72. are advanced step-by-step, the longsprings z" to z' 'will successively ride upon the inclined surface of the insulating guide or are i, and thereby be forced into contact with their coacting upper springs, unless the armature m, which has a downwardly inclined engaging face, shall be depressed to the dotted line position shown in Fig. III. In this event, the long springs which arethus depressed, will pass beneath the are i, and will engage or close circuit with the lower contact springs in their respective sets. Thus, it will be seen that the local circuit, wherein these springs are serially connected, mustbeclosed at six or more points, in order-to actuate the alarm bell j, whichis of the interrupter type. It is obvious that the several sets of springs, 71, 71 ,13, etc, might be wired differently so that each of the sets circuit, viz: contact spring a, which is" adapted upon the finalv step of each switch to engage with the stud a, and close con-' tact therewith. This is important,,for the reason that'none of the localjcirc'uits should be closed at the respective stations until final steps of switch 72., and of the rotator 9 have been effected; Upon depressing key 7, it will be remembered that positive current was supplied to three of the contact parts corresponding to and connected with the contacts 9, g and g of the rotator g, and in consequence, as the respective segments are engaged 'bythe contact arm 9 as it is swept over said segments from right to left, positive current impulses will be intermittently transmitted over limb 2 of the line. and through the windings of the connected electro-magnets m. Thus, upon the first step of each of the switches h, the armature m of each magnet in, will be depressed, thereby causing the long spring 2 to pass beneath the arc 2', and flex it into contact with the lowermost spring of its set. Upon Ilpon taking the next or fourth step, and

upon the sixth step as well, the magnet m will again be energized to depress the long springs 2' 2' and cause them to pass beneath are 2', while spring i ,being uninfluenced bythe armature m, will ride upon the arc z, and contact then belng closed .with

spring n, the local circuit through the bell,

will be established at station 7 or B, as in dicated in Fig. IV. In this figure, the horizontally positioned springsare arranged vertically, in order to show both their permanent rearward connection, and the flexure of the three long'springs c", 2" and 2' into contact with the. corresponding upper springs of their sets; the.remaining'springs, as normally occurs, being engaged with the lower springs of their sets. For this purpose the unitary are i isshown in cross section at six different places to illustrate the electrical connection of the parts. Under these circumstances, the alarm bell willbe rung by the local battery at the selected station, until the local circuit is broken by the restoration of switch h,fwhichftake s place simultaneously at all the stations.

To call station 8, for example, it is seen that the contact parts in the corresponding key S, are arranged to make connection with bars a, a, a and a and the switch at sta tion 8 (not shown) must be permanently connected to effect a closure ofthe local cire cuit upon the engagement of springsi', i and with the lower contacts oftheirfrespective sets and the simultaneous closure of the springs t 2'", and 2' with the upper springs of their respective sets. In this manner, the selection of a large number of.

stations maybe readily arranged for.

llroni the foregoing, it will be understood that the circuit connections of each of the permutating switches it must vary at each of the stations to be. selected, which is readily accomplished by rearwardly connecting the long springs permanently With the short springs of the adjacent, sets in the variety of combinations thus aiiorded. Inasmuch as each of the switches must assume the same mechanical relation upon the depression of any key, it will beappreciated that the differences for eii'ecting the selective signaling must reside in the local circuitconnections, established through the variously actuated, and permanently connected contact springs. All this is controlled by. the

position. of the contact studs in the respec- 4 tive key levers, and a very large number of circuit changes may be provided for, with the use of a relatively small number of spring sets upon each permutating switch. The number of such sets obviously may be varied, if desired. c

To effect a restorationto normal conditions, the key lever which has been de pressed, as 7, will be momentarily raised by the central oilice operator, [preferably when the selected station has responded, thereby engaging contact spring 0* with its stud 0 and contact spring 0 with its stud 0 The contact stud is permanently connected with the negative side of the battery 7) and in consequence, negative current will be mementarily transmitted over conductoi l" and limb 1 of the line, thereby exciting the pola ized magnets c, 6, etc, to engage withtheir lefthand contacts, and close the localcircuits respectively through the restoring magnets 0, 0, etc. These act respectiyely, upon the latches '0, engaging the rotary ratchets g it, and the ends of their respective actuating pawls, so that the restoring magnets momentarily release said ratchets, and permit the switches h and rotator g, to berestored by their respective tension springs. The apparatus is then in position for the selection of any other station desired. Common restoring key 9' may be provided in lieu of the foregoing arrangement, if desired, which is adaptedto throw negative current directly upon limb l of the line, and actuate the magnets 0, 0, etc.

Each of the magnets c and m at the several stations, is bridged by a condenser 79 p. Across the terminalsof the latter are placed the emergency switches or cut-outs 7c is. Telephone sets at, t, t are also dia grammatically indicated as bridged across the line, merely to suggest the purpose for whichthe selective apparatus is primarily designed, but these form no part of my invention and are here alluded to merely as explanatory of one adaptation thereof.

n the claims, I have referred to the substation switch as one adapted for permutative connection, and have further defined it as a permutating switch; meaning thereby a switch of the general type herein set forth for. use at each party line station, which switch is provided with contact parts capable of electrical transposition or arrangement in difi'erent concerted connective relation.

Having now explained in brief, in connection with the diagrammatic drawings, a system and apparatus for practising my invention, I hereby claim the same, without necessarily restricting myself [to the details herein set forth, in the following terms 1, In selective switching apparatus, the combination with a switch of the class described, comprising a plurality of sets of contracts, of a circuit including an electromagnet, and means operated thereby for effecting the bodily movement of said switch, and a second circuit including, an electrm magnet, and means governed thereby for selecting certain contacts from each set and closing all of said selected contacts in series as said bodily movement takes place, substantially as set forth.

2. A selective signaling system, comprising two line conductors, circuit-controlling apparatus and a source of electrical energy its 7 lit-t3 associated therewith at a central oi'lice, a plu of separable contacts through each of which a signaling circuit is adapted to close in series relation, an electro-magnet controllable over one line conductor and means operated thereby for efi'ecting the actuation of said switch, and asecond electro-magnet controllable over the other line conductor and means operate d thereby for modifying the electrical relationslo f the permutating switch contacts, substantially as set forth.

8. In apparatus of the classdescribed, the combination with a rotary member, of a plu- 'rality of separable switch contacts mounted thereon through. which a circuit isadapted to be established in series'relation, an electromagnetic means for advancing the rotary member step-by-step, a second electro-mag;

netic means adapted to modify the electrical relation of said contacts, and circuit-controlling apparatus for actuating the switch contacts, substantiallyas set forth. 7

4. In aselective signaling system, the combination with the line conductors thereof, of

a source of electrical energy and suitablecircuit-controlling apparatus associated there- 7 with, a plurality of stations. connected with 'means operated thereby adapted to modify said" line conductors, each of which is eqiupped w thapermutatmg switch, comprising a rotary member, a plurality of d1fferently connectedseparable switch contacts mounted thereon through which a circuit is adapted to be established in series relation, an electro-magnetand means operated thereby for advancing the rotary member step-- by-step, and a second electro-magnet'and .a source of electrical energy and suitable circuit-controlling apparatus associatedtherewith, a plurality of stations connected with. said line conductors, Leach of which is equipped witha permutating switch, comprising a rotary member, a plurality of differently connected separable switch contacts mounted thQl-QOH'lJlIIOLIgh which a circuit is adapted to be establ shed n series relation, I an electro-magnet and means operated thereby for advancing the rotary member stepoperated thereby adapted to modify the elec- V trical relation of said contacts, and a restor- 7 described, the combination with a plurality ing electro-magnet for returning the appa ratus to its initial position, sald magnets beving respectively controllable over the line conductors, substantially as set-forth.

6. Ina perniutating switch-of the class of sets of contact members arranged in different planes and adapted to'be permutativel-y connected, of an engaging member adapted to actuate said contact members into different electrical relations, and electro-magnetic means for effecting their relative movement to complete the controlof a connected circuit under predetermined con-' substantially as set ditions of actuation, substantially as set forth. V

7. :In a permutating switch of the class described, the combination with a plurality of sets of switch springs, the individual springs of each set being disposed in different planes and alternatively adapted tobe actuated into electrical contact, means for alternating their normal connections, an

engaging member for said switch springs,

and means for effecting the relative movement of said switch-springs and member, whereby said switch springs are actuated into different electrical relation and a' circuit may be closed therethrough underpredetermined conditions, substantially as set forth. a

8. In a permutating switch of the class maybe closed therethrough under predetermined conditions, substantially as set forth.

9. In a selective system of the class described, the combination with a source of electrical energy and suitable circuit-controlling apparatus at a central oiiice, of line conductors leading therefrom, a plurality of stations connected thereto, each of which is equippedwith a permutating switch, comprising a plurality of switch springs arranged in sets and connected setby set in a 7 relative movement of said elements, another electro-magnet and means operated thereby I 7 for varying the final position of certain of by-step, a second'electro-magnet and means the contact springs, and a controlled signal circuit connected with each" permutating switch, whereby any of said stations may be selectively signaled under predetermined conditions of current transmission from the central office, substantially as set forth;

10. In a selective system of the class described, the combination'with a source of electrical energy and suitable circuit-condistinctive manner, an engaging part adaptswitch springs, an electro-magnet and means operated thereby'for effecting the relative movement of said elements, another electromagnet means operated thereby for varying the final position of certain of the contact springs, electro-magnetic means for restoring said switch; all being connected for actuation over the two limbs of the line, and a controlled signal-circuit connected with each permutating switch, whereby any of said stations mav be selectively signaled under predetermined conditions of current transmission from the central office, substantially as set forth.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a permutating switch comprising a plurality of sets of contacts arranged for permutative connection, a circuit including an electro-magnet and means operated thereby for effecting the engagement of the contacts of said switch set by set, and a second circuit including an electro-magnet for effecting the bodily move- -ment of the sets of switch contacts, circuitcontrolling apparatus associated with said circuits, and a source of electrical energy controlled thereby, substantially as set forth.

12. In a system of the class described, the combination with two operating circuits of a plurality of switches; each comprising a plurality of sets of contacts, an electro-magnet connected with one circuit, and means operated thereby for effecting the bodily movement of said contacts, and a second electro-magnet connected in the other circuit, and means for selecting certain contacts from each set, and closing all of said selected contacts in series as said bodily movement takes place, the selecting operation being governed by the second 61mm magnet and a guide, for individually adjust-' ing said sets of switch springs, substantially as set forth.

1%. A selective device comprising, a plurality of sets of switch springs movable en masse, electro-magnetic means for advancing said sets of switch springs en massc, electromagnetic means for affecting said sets of springs individually, a guide for adjusting said springs, and electro-magnetic means for restoring said sets of springs, substantially as set forth.

15. In an electrical selective signaling system, the combination with an operators keyboard, and electromagnetic means for automatically adjusting a plurality of sets of switch springs in sequential order, of a switch operatively connected therewith, comprising sets of switch springs, electromagnetic means for controlling said sets of switch springs en masse, and electro-mechanical means comprising an electro-magnet, and a guide for adjusting said sets of switch springs individually, substantially as set forth.

Signed at Cleveland, Ohio, this 28th day of April, 1909 JOHN F. ENGLISJ.

Witnesses:

RoBT. M. MORGAN, ALBERT LYNN LAWRENCE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents, Washington, D. C. 

